Ah, the world of trade shows! Nothing says “I’m here to dazzle” like top-tier graphics on your exhibition stand. But before your masterpiece gets turned into vibrant displays that leave everyone in awe, you’ve got to make sure your artwork is ready to hit the printers.
Fear not! Here’s a playful yet practical guide to ensuring your graphics are print-perfect and avoiding those dreaded delays.
1. File Format: The Basics
Choosing the right file format is crucial for successful printing. For large-format printing, such as banners and exhibition stands, we recommend the following:
PDF (preferred): This versatile format preserves the quality of both text and images effectively.
Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop): Ideal for graphics and images, maintaining quality during scaling.
Make sure your file is saved in one of these formats for optimal output. If using InDesign, remember to package your file for easy access.
2. Artwork SetUp: Scale Matters
All artwork should be supplied in scale, whether it’s 1:1, 1:2, or other ratios. Consistency in scale ensures accuracy in the final print size.
3. Bleed and Margins: Protect Your Design
Including bleed and margin space is vital to prevent important elements from being cut off during printing:
Bleed: This is the extra area of the design that extends beyond the cut line. For large-format prints, a 3-5mm bleed is recommended. For fabrics and banners, use a 100mm bleed.
Margins: Keep important text, logos, and images within a “safe zone” about 5-10mm inside the trim line to avoid cutting off critical details.
4. Resolution: Clarity is Key
Resolution refers to the number of dots per inch (dpi) in your artwork, and it’s essential for avoiding blurry graphics:
Ideal Resolution: For large-format printing, use 300 dpi for smaller items and at least 150 dpi for larger pieces like banners or signage.
Lower Resolutions: Anything below 150 dpi may result in poor quality once printed, especially on larger formats. Always check the resolution of images or logos in your artwork.
5. Fonts and Text: Print with Precision
Text elements require careful handling to ensure they print correctly:
Convert Text to Outlines: To avoid issues with missing or substituted fonts, convert all text to outlines or paths. This way, the text is treated as a graphic.
6. Transparency: Use Sparingly
Be cautious with transparency effects in your artwork:
Avoid Shadows and Glows: Do not use shadows, glows, or other transparency effects on top of spot colours, as they may not print correctly.
7. Overprint: Manage Layering
Overprinting can cause confusion in the final print:
Overprint Settings: When an object is set to overprint, anything underneath will print on top of it. It’s advisable to turn off overprints on any objects or text unless necessary. Note that white set to overprint will not print at all.
By following these guidelines, your artwork will be well prepared for printing, ensuring a smooth production process and impressive results for your exhibition stand. Happy designing!
But if there’s something in here you still need help with, drop us a call- we’re always happy to help.
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